[A case of pulmonary tuberculosis developed immediately after a chest wall injury]

A 75-year-old female was admitted to our hospital for further examination of the cause of blood-stained sputum and abnormal shadow on chest radiogram which had developed immediately after an injury of right chest wall. The bacteriological examination of sputum on admission revealed negative Gaffky score, but positive PCR, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated by culture. Her symptoms and chest radiogram were improved by the administration of isoniazid, ethambutol and rifampicin. Although development of pulmonary tuberculosis induced by chest wall injury is rare, in case of the aged persons such possibility should be considered. PCR may be useful for rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis, even in such case.